Small Step

[nuiq]

At last the Doc got back to me. She phoned yesterday to say the Endocrinology dept had got back to her and although she was obviously wary about saying too much they had agreed that it was advantageous that TSH should be around the lower end and had said that it was not too much to ask that my levothyroxine be raised from 0.75 to 1mg with all the symptoms I had but it was not necessary to test the T3. They had also said to warn me of information given out on some websites. I pointed out that Thyroid UK was a NHS choice website but she glossed over that and went on to ask if I had enough medication. Why it had been lowered in 2015 in the first place I don't know as my results were TSH 0.1 and T4 23.6 and although I wasn't 100% I was certainly a lot better then as I am now.

[Hidden]

If you can do private blood tests and post the results with the ranges on here for answers. Take the test fasting and first thing. Leave off Levo for 24 hours prior to the test. You should wait 6/8 weeks on your new dosages before testing. Most of the people on here have to have private testing the NHS will not test what's necessary to become well. I only have the test once a year now it's Blue Horizon ( thyroid plus 11 ) this one gives you all that you need to start off.

[nuiq in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I will do that. It was a trainee doc I saw and for the first time in 3 years was listened to, other drs in the practice just ignored anything I said. She brought in the dr mentoring her when I said that I am quite hoarse, have difficulty swallowing, my neck is swollen and I have to watch when eating as it seems to catch. He examined me dismissed the swelling either side of my neck but found a small lump slightly down under my chin. Is this what is called a nodule and should I be worried. She then took advice from the Endocrinology Dept and they advised to increase my medication but nothing has been mentioned about the lump I don't know if I should be doing anything about it.

[shaws Administrator]

I'd like to ask your GP or any GPs as a matter of fact - how many clinical symptoms do they know of hypothyroidism. We used to be diagnosed upon symptoms alone and given a trial of NDT. If we found it helped it was gradually increased until symptom=free. No blood tests then only skill and knowledge of doctors.

Nowadays doctors don't know any clinical symptoms and seem to only believe the TSH result and if it goes very low, believe we are then hyPERthyroid and adjust levo to 'fit' into a scale.

[serenfach]

Ask for your notes from the appointment, and the letter or email from the Endo. Sometimes makes quite interesting reading! She would have written something down about the lump and at least you have a starting point when you see her again. Just ring the surgery and ask for the notes - they cannot refuse, and if you are close enough, they should be ready to pick up in a couple of days.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I say this intending to be helpful - not critical.

You refer to your dose being raised from 0.75 to 1mg. I suspect you actually meant from 75 micrograms (0.075 milligrams) to 100 micrograms (0.1 milligrams). In the UK we almost always see doses in micrograms but it varies a bit in other countries.

dropbox.com/s/q00vyt5703f4u...

[nuiq in reply to helvella]

Sorry couldn't remember the units on the box and it wasn't to hand and I had a senior moment so just guessed.